Happy birthday to my sweet aunt Hellyne Summerrise, born September 23, 1925. She would be 95 years old today. I miss her so much and wish I could talk to her about many things going on in the world today. I thought of all she did in her life to promote civil rights, and how she and my mother were true sisters that loved and supported each other through thick and thin. I thought about her love of reading and how she would stay up late at night to finish a book. I was in awe of how fast she finished books. Now my daughter Kaila reads books just as fast. She even got in trouble (good trouble) for sneaking off to read in elementary school. Aunt Hellyne has passed down her love of books and knowledge to our family. She also loved the television shows “Little House on the Prairie” and “Matlock”. You had better not call her when her shows were on, unless you wanted to talk to yourself. Just by coincidence, I got a chance to watch Matlock this morning and I see why she was hooked. My husband only watched for a few moments and it even made him chuckle! Matlock still brings back sweet memories of my aunt.
Hellyne Summerrise at Martin Luther King Jr. celebration at the Capitol Rotunda in Olympia on January 16, 1989 (photo MOHAI)
You may think you know the love of a sibling, but Hellyne’s love for my mother was so deep she would take her spankings! She could not stand to see my mother hurting. That is real love. My uncle Bob once said he thought he would have to take my mother on his honeymoon with them because they were so close. To know or experience that level of love is something that would benefit our hurting world today. The bible says in John 15:13, “Greater love hath no one than to lay down their life for a friend”. I believe my aunt had that level of love for her sister. She and my mom simply loved being together. One of their delights was going to the Rainier Wendy’s “all you can eat” salad bar. They almost always got the same items: salad bar, chili and maybe a Wendy’s single (no cheese for Hellyne). They loved the buffet style restaurants like Royal Fork and King’s Table. When Jerrell was young, Hellyne and Bob often took him to eat at Zoopas near Southcenter. I don’t know if he realized they were starting him out on the healthy food regiment he now upholds. Back then, it was just time with Nana and Papa (smile).
If my aunt were here today I would surely see her out marching for justice as she did when she marched with Dr. King the one time he visited Seattle. She would be in the middle of talks about justice because everyone would certainly want to know “What does Mrs. Summerrise think?” She had the kind of spirit and energy that made people listen and pay attention. She was not E.F. Hutton but she had that effect on folks. She protested against apartheid and had the great honor of meeting Nelson Mandela when he visited Seattle. My aunt liked the spotlight, but she did not grandstand or try to get notoriety for herself. It was about peace, fairness and justice for all people. She would not be happy that the nation is so divided today. She also would not approve of protests that are not peaceful. She did not stand for foolishness. She would want everyone to be heard.
My aunt Hellyne would encourage all people to vote because of the sacrifices our ancestors made. Lately, I have started to get apathetic about voting, due to personal hurt. I know, I know! She would not like that at all, but I am being honest. She would say, “Nevermind, Shawn Kismet! Now you know better, get your behind out there and vote!” Make no mistake, I will be voting in the November 2020 election, if only to honor the memories of my mom and aunt Hellyne.
Happy birthday Aunt Hellyne. I love and miss you. Thank you for loving our family and teaching us to be proud of who we are. Thank you for the protective love you provided my mother. I believe your love for her made a true difference in her life. Thank you for all you did to make the world a better place, and for being a drum major for justice and peace. I wish you were here to comfort me and tell me, “it’s gonna be all right.” Your spirit still lives on in your family.
There was a recent music battle between Patti LaBelle and Gladys Knight. In my aunt Hellyne’s mind, there would be no battle, Gladys would win hands down! This is her favorite song of all time, at least to my knowledge:). Enjoy “Midnight Train to Georgia”.
Isaiah 61: 1-3 “The spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion – to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.”
This has not been fun. The coronavirus is not funny, it is not a joke, it is not fake news. It is real, it is deadly and it is insidious. We had no personal control over the virus and could not stop it on our own. It was going to affect everyone, white and black, rich and poor, from the White House to my house, we have all been forced to live a new normal. Like it or not.
As the virus spread throughout Washington, it felt like being in a horror movie like the 1960’s movie “Invasion of the Body Snatchers”. Who would be next to catch the virus? Would it be me or someone I love? Anything was possible.
Jerrell Davis, age 3
While we waited anxiously to see who was being affected by the virus, it was very easy to act as if this was something to brush off and it would simply go away. Hardly. When Seattle Public Schools closed on March 12th, people started thinking about this a little differently, like maybe it was more serious than they originally thought.
Jerrell Davis, age 3
The Life Care Center in Kirkland, Washington continued to be the epicenter with elderly patients dying almost daily. But still, that did not bother most people because we were thinking, “I’m not old, my body is not vulnerable”. Wrong thinking. There have been people saying, “Black people are not getting the virus.” Wrong thinking again! Black people have gotten the virus and some have died from it. I believe we are finally getting to the place of understanding the seriousness of COVID 19. I know, because some people are showing their true colors by their behavior. There are those who have hoarded much needed sanitizer, toilet paper, masks and paper towels. They have bought these items in excess without regard for the needs of others. The spirit of greed has played out in the aisles of Costco and other drugstores. Just the other day as I returned to my car from Bartell’s drug store, a man getting in the car next to me shouted “There are no masks in this world, this is sh.t!!” I just looked at him, said “I know”, and calmly tried to get in my car. In a nearby Rite Aid drugstore, a man was so angry he began cursing in the aisle. When he saw me and another lady look up, he calmed down for a moment to say “Excuse me”. He too was angry about the limited supply of items available in the store.
Jerrell Davis, age 3
Well, I know you’re probably thinking, “I thought this was about beauty for ashes”. I am getting to it, just be patient. I wanted you to know why the idea even came to me. A few days ago, my son sent me a series of pictures from his childhood that he edited to show his sentiment about the coronavirus. The pictures you are seeing in this post were taken during a family outing at Universal City Walk, Hollywood when he was just three years old (1995). We had stopped at a dancing water fountain that randomly sprang up at different intervals. He thought it was amazing and fun. I was able to take pictures of him at different times while he played in the fountain. The last photo shows him crying because he got completely soaked! When he sent me the edited version of the photos, I was so tickled as they accurately depicted my feelings about the current situation we are in.
Jerrell Davis, age 3
While COVID 19 is not funny in the least, we have to keep living and do our best to keep our heads up and find joy in our day to day lives. Believe me when I say I am encouraging myself while I encourage you! Isaiah 61:3 says, “To bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, and the oil of joy instead of mourning”. All I can say is “HALLELUJAH!” I need that! I believe we all need it. We need spiritual restoration from the devastating effects of the coronavirus on our world. So when my son sent me those photos, it made me smile and realize that I could still have a sense of humor. I could laugh and be joyful, and openly share that I am grateful to be alive and healthy. Make no mistake, that does not mean it is okay to make fun or light of those who have been or still are affected by the coronavirus. We should be showing love, kindness, grace and mercy to all. We are responsible for helping each other through this pandemic. We still have life, which means we still have time to pray and unselfishly give of our time and talents to help one another through this season. We have time to take groceries to someone in need, give cash to someone in need, make meals for someone, or call those you have not checked on for a while. There are many ways to make a difference right now, to give your neighbor the gift of “beauty for ashes”. I hope you are not one of the people who have hoarded items that are needed by others. If you do have extra supplies, please share them with someone who does not have as much. The Lord requires us “to take care of orphans and widows” (James 1: 27)!
What are you doing to give “beauty for ashes”? I know that WA-BLOC (Washington Building Leaders Of Change) is leading “Feed the Beach” and providing food to 150-200 Rainier Beach residents every Tuesday and Thursday. They have been leading this effort since March 13th. They are way ahead of everyone else. My employer, Seattle Municipal Court, is paying my salary right now, even though I am not able to work from home, and I am grateful. My husband’s non-profit organization, Rainier Beach Action Coalition, closed for two weeks starting March 25th. RBAC leadership made the decision to pay staff during the closure. Say Amen somebody! My sister Fai delivered a lemon meringue pie to my doorstep. My neighbor, Dr. Polly Fabian is providing our family with important information about COVID 19 and staying healthy, my friend Annjanette sends me articles and ministry materials to strengthen my faith, my cousin Daryl and my friend Carliss send scriptures to strengthen my faith, and my neighbor Scott edged my grass just because he is a good neighbor. My son even brought over a care package that included gummy vitamins, a bag of frozen tater tots (HILARIOUS), batteries and a disposable camera to photo chronicle this unprecedented time. These things are beauty for ashes for me. Let me know what restores you and your family during this time. What is your beauty for ashes, oil of joy and garment of praise? May God continue to bless you and keep you healthy.
Enjoy this song by Mary Mary, “Can’t Give Up Now”.
“For I know the plans I have for you, to prosper you and not harm you. To give you hope and a future.”
You certainly don’t need me to tell you, but I’m going to say it anyway, “Black History is American History and should be celebrated ALL year”. So let’s not say goodbye to Black History Month, let’s say farewell to February and continue to celebrate the wonderful history of Black people right on through March and beyond. God’s promise is to give us hope and a future. He has predestined our greatness, and we all make history when we realize the power within ourselves to change the world.
I want to celebrate people in my family who have made history or are making history right now. WORD! Brothers and sisters, you can make history today!
I have to start with my mother, Frances Simmons. She was the prettiest, sweetest, and best fisherman/woman ever. She was famous for being able to put her line down and fish at a moment’s notice. She would go on trips to Moses Lake and bring back coolers full of crappie, and then share them with family and friends. She taught her family the love of fishing as well, so all of us grew up knowing how to cast a line. She also taught us we could do anything a white person could do, and our race did not exclude us from experiencing the same opportunities afforded whites. She made me enter a local fishing derby in the late 60’s and early 70’s called the Huck Finn/Becky Thatcher fishing derby. It was held at Greenlake. She and my aunt designed costumes for three years straight, until I finally won first prize for my Becky Thatcher costume and took home a new bicycle.
Imagine that! A Black Becky Thatcher! Becky Thatcher was a fictional character in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer book, and of course, she was white. My mother pushed the envelope and said, “we are going to win this”, and eventually we did! I was timid about entering the contest, not knowing what people would think and how they would react. My mother’s determination and encouragement that I could do anything regardless of my race, made my fear and trepidation melt away. After I won the bicycle, they ended the derby!
Hellyne Summerrise – My aunt and Seattle civil rights icon. She marched with Martin Luther King Jr. during his visit to Seattle in the early 1960’s. She also participated in the Poor People’s Campaign in Washington, D.C., May 12 – June 24, 1968 shortly after King’s assassination. The Poor People’s Campaign focused on economic justice for poor people. Hellyne and her husband Bob, were among those who had the opportunity to meet Nelson Mandela when he visited Seattle after he was released from prison. She also participated in protests against apartheid and was placed under arrest at the South African embassy in Seattle. In addition to her civil rights work, she opened her own Montessori school on King Street, called “The Little House.” This sister was bad! A great activist and educator.
Robert “Bob” Summerrise, Jr. – My uncle Bob was one of the first Black on-air personalities in Seattle. He was employed by several radio stations, most notably KYAC. His smooth voice melted the hearts of the local jazz and blues fans. He owned two record shops in Seattle (family can correct me if there were more). The first was Summerrise World of Music on Jackson Street. He later opened The Wholesale House on Rainier Avenue, across from Borrachini’s bakery. His son, Robin Summerrise, continues his legacy and has also melted hearts with his smooth, sweet interactive style that he brings to deejaying. One of my favorite memories of Papa Bob was when he took me to see The Jackson Five. I was around nine years old. It was the one and only time I saw Michael Jackson live. Bob was friends with many great musicians, most notably, Seattle music legend Quincy Jones. He was also friends with the late Rev. James Bevel, a civil rights activist and friend of Dr. King.
My sister, Fai Mathews and cousin Marsha Miles (Summerrise) were models in the Zebra fashion shows in the late 60’s/early 70’s. They were among the first to bring African fashion to the forefront in Seattle. They were known for sewing and modeling some of the finest original fashions around the Seattle area. If you wanted to check them out, you could find them at the Black and Tan, a popular Black nightclub that was located on 12th Avenue near Jackson Street. Fai continues to participate in the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day march, often accompanied by her grandchildren or other family members. Local newspapers seem to get a picture of her almost every year.
My cousin, Cece Summerrise, is a pharmacist. She worked very hard to attain her dream, enduring long days and nights studying, while still holding down her job. Cece was committed to the promise she made to her grandmother Hellyne, that she would finish school and become a pharmacist. It was not easy, but she persevered and succeeded.
My niece, Francesca Richard is a musical artist (Deb’s Daughter), record producer and songwriter in Los Angeles. She has penned songs for Uncle Charlie Wilson, and most recently she penned Johnny Gill’s new single, “Perfect”. She also wrote and performed the song “Tell Me” from the 2004 movie, Walking Tall, starring Dwayne Johnson!
My sister, Marguerite Richard is an accomplished gospel singer and soloist. She has graced the stage with gospel greats Richard Smallwood, Keith Pringle and Sandra Crouch to name a few. She was a member of several local choirs including True Destiny, FAME Choir, Northwest Connection, Washington State Mass Choir, and Hosanna. One of her first choir directors at Franklin High School was the great Pat Wright, director of the Total Experience gospel choir. Marguerite recorded the album “He Got Up” with the GMES (Gospel Music Educators Seminar) Mass Choir. She is also a civil rights activist and a member of the Black Action Network. She is known locally as Sister Pearl. Take a listen to the song “Stand Still” when you click on the link. You might hear her singing!
My daughter, Kaila Nsimbi is Director of Leadership and Career Development for Rainier Scholars, a 12-year program offering a pathway to college graduation for hard-working, low-income students of color. They provide intensive, academic preparation, leadership development and personalized support to the scholars. Her father, Gregory Davis, is a founding board member of the organization. Kaila and her husband, Ken Nsimbi, are worship leaders at Rainier Avenue Church in Seattle. They are both involved in youth ministry and church leadership. Kaila serves on the boards of The Robinson Center and Team Read. Ken serves on the boards of World Relief and New Horizons.
My son, Jerrell Davis, is a renaissance man. He is a musician, whose stage name is Rell be Free. He is also an educator and activist. He is one of the founding members of WABLOC, Washington Building Leaders of Change, an organization created to address the educational inequity of Black and Brown students in Seattle Public Schools. Jerrell performed as headlining artist for the Martin Luther King Jr. rally at Westlake Park last year. A few years ago he shared the stage with Bryan Stevenson, author of Just Mercy and founder of the Equal Justice Initiative. Jerrell performed his moving piece, “Cell Blocks Like Slave Ships”, which hauntingly depicts America as a nation moving from slavery to mass incarceration. Jerrell has studied under Marian Wright Edelman of the Children’s Fund, and helped bring the Freedom Schools model to Seattle. He is an inspiring educator and mentor at Rainier Beach high school, bringing hope to our marginalized youth.
My niece Danyelle Benware is in the veterinary research field. She is an associate scientist at Amgen. Within her department she is the clinical lead and training manager.
My great niece Asmian Obanion-White, who attends Rainer Beach High School, recently won first place in the August Wilson monologue competition at the Seattle Rep. She will go to New York in May to compete in the finals.
My great nephew Davon Fuller is a sophomore at Rainier Beach High School who has continued to excel in academics and community outreach and engagement. He works as an engagement worker with the Corner Greeter program at RBAC. He is a delightful and inspirational young Black man.
My sister- in- law Ronda Benware, along with my mother-in-law, Jeanette Davis, have faithfully served at Hamilton United Methodist Church in Los Angeles, where four generations of the Davis family have attended church. Ronda is a founding member of REST (Restore and Elevate our Spirit to Trust in God), a women’s a ministry that was developed to provide support and encouragement to women, while also inspiring them to spiritually find inner strength. Jeanette Davis has continued her leadership with the Talent Guild, which hosts the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Luncheon and and awards financial scholarships. She retired from the Compton Unified School District, where she was an educator for many years. She is an avid reader of Black history and has encouraged her children and grandchildren to read as much as possible about Black history.
Jerry Lee Davis, my precious father-in-law was the first Black district manager of the Southern California Gas Company. He encouraged everyone to be the best they could be and he provided an excellent example of a caring husband and father.
Gregory Davis, my husband and best friend has helped create so much history. In the 1990’s he developed the Rites of Passage Experience (R.O.P.E) youth development program at C.A.M.P. He is an expert on the Rites of Passage Experience program and the Kwanzaa holiday. He has been one of the local organizers of the Kwanzaa celebration in Seattle for more than 30 years. If you need to know the seven principles of Kwanzaa, ask Gregory. He currently leads the Rainier Beach Action Coalition, an organization which has helped enhance the Rainier Beach neighborhood by focusing on critical issues that affect the wellbeing of the communities there: transportation, education, economic development, housing, food justice, public safety and the arts.
Gregory has been the epitome of a good father. In addition to unconditional love, he provided his children with a wealth of Black and African history/education by constantly exposing them to the books, art, and cultural experiences of our people. Some friends nicknamed him “The Mayor of Rainier Beach”, but he is quick to remind everyone it’s “Da Mayor” (shout out to Ossie Davis in Do the Right Thing).
As you can tell from this brief Black History tribute to my family, we are making history every day and we can’t and won’t stop. Remember the scripture at the beginning? It was Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, to prosper and not harm you. To give you hope and a future.” The plan is for OUR hope and OUR future! Don’t ever forget it! Black History Month is Never Over! Face the Facts!
My mind keeps playing an old gospel hymn: “Jesus I’ll never forget, what you’ve done for me. Jesus I’ll never forget, how you set me free. Jesus I’ll never forget, how you’ve brought me out. Jesus I’ll never forget, no never.”
I would like you to try to remember this song throughout your reading of my blog entries covering the civil rights tour. Just hum the tune, it will make you feel a little better. It will stir and comfort your spirit as you read about the strength and resiliency of our people as they endured brutal, unjust, and inhumane treatment in “the land of the free and the home of the brave.” Brave. Yes, my people were very brave, but they were hardly free, and we are still fighting today for freedom and justice. This tour brought me to tears some days, and unspeakable joy and hope on others. There are no words to describe the depth of emotions experienced on this week long tour. Some may wonder why we would want to visit all these historical sites, including the National Memorial for Peace & Justice, a memorial to the victims of racial terror lynching. The answer is that we wanted to study the past to learn how racial inequality has impacted generations and is still impacting us. You would be amazed at how much has NOT changed as far as racism in the United States. We were a group open to ongoing discussions on racial reconciliation and how we can learn to live better, together. So we chose to go back and study the martyrs who paved the way for us, we chose to experience just a taste of what it must have been like for them. We took this tour so we will NEVER forget. We will continue to honor our civil rights martyrs and heroes. We will keep their memories alive and we will strive to be like them, sharing our knowledge and resources. We will not forget them, NO, NEVER!!
Take a look at the first few days of our amended agenda:
At the second meeting for the tour, each of us were given the name of a civil rights leader whose name we would carry in our heart and look for their influence during the tour. Some of the names of these “foot soldiers” were unknown to us. There were several people doing the grassroots work behind the scenes, and many did not achieve icon status like Martin Luther King, Jr. or Rosa Parks. There are so many who need to be given credit for their part in the civil rights movement. The foot soldiers Gregory and I were following were Reverend Fred Shuttlesworth and Ella Baker. Reverend Shuttlesworth (below, left) worked closely alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and was a co-founder of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). Rev. Shuttlesworth was very outspoken about injustice. He survived several bombings and beatings, and even a fire hosing ordered by Eugene “Bull” Connor, Alabama Commissioner of Public Safety. In spite of all Reverend Shuttlesworth suffered, he still lived to the age of 89. Ella Baker (below, right) was a civil and human rights activist who helped form the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). She was one of the most influential women in the civil rights movement. Ms. Baker was a member of the NAACP and SCLC. She worked very closely with the young people in the movement. She was also a mentor to Rosa Parks.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA
On Saturday July 28th, we arrived safely in Atlanta after a somewhat bumpy flight. Needless to say, I was more than happy to be getting off the plane and on to dry land. It was hot, but I was told it was even hotter at home in Seattle. A chartered bus picked us up and we were off to the Embassy Suites near Centennial Park.
After a quick and delicious meal at Chick fil A, we went to Centennial Park with our Pastors Harvey and Andrea Drake. We were blessed to spend time in the evening with a dear family friend, Faye Capers. She always makes time to see us when we visit Atlanta.
Centennial Park
Pastor Harvey Drake and wife Andrea
On Sunday, July 29th we worshipped together at Ebenezer Baptist Church, visited Dr. King’s birthplace, the King Center and his memorial burial spot. Afterwards, we had a wonderful brunch at the Atlanta Breakfast Club. While touring the grounds of Ebenezer, a very nice gentleman named Albert Brinson, greeted the group. Mr. Brinson was a friend of Martin Luther King, Jr. and he was baptized at Ebenezer at the age of eight. Mr. Brinson proceeded to tell us about his friendship with Martin Luther King, Jr. He served as assistant to both Dr. Martin Luther King Sr. AND Jr. He held us captive in the hot Atlanta heat until his daughter came out from the eleven o’clock service and said, “He is supposed to be in church”! She added, “He gets great joy out of doing this”. Gregory and I wandered back in the church while the others visited MLK’s childhood home. We were able to meet the 24 year-old youth pastor who had preached at the earlier service we attended. Gregory also took a picture with one of the soloists from the choir. There is a photo included of Gregory with a statue of Kunta Kinte.
Andrea having fun in the sun
Inside the new Ebenezer Baptist Church
Worshipping at Ebenezer
Praying together
Gregory with Ebenezer soloist
Our group held captive by Mr. Albert Brinson, friend of Dr. King.
Gregory with Kunta Kinte statue
Shrimp & grits
Shrimp po’ boy
Atlanta Breakfast Club shrimp & grits and shrimp po’ boy
Later that afternoon some of the group visited the Atlanta Civil Rights Museum. I had visited the museum two years ago, so I chose not to go again. In the evening we watched an episode of Eyes on the Prize about the civil rights movement in Alabama, followed by a discussion.
BIRMINGHAM/MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA
On Monday, July 30th we took a bus from Atlanta to Birmingham/Montgomery, Alabama. We had a walking tour and bus tour of Birmingham. We learned a lot about the Reverend Fred Shuttlesworth from our tour guide, Barry. We visited the 16th St. Baptist Church, and saw the location where the four little girls were killed by a bomb on September 15, 1963. We visited Kelly Ingram Park where in May 1963 peaceful protesters (almost all of them children and high school students) were confronted with arrests, police dogs and firehoses. The park is the setting for several pieces of sculpture related to the civil rights movement. The most beautiful one in my opinion is the Four Spirits, depicting each of the four little girls preparing for the church sermon moments before the bomb exploded. At the base of the sculpture is an inscription of the name of the sermon they were to attend prior to the bombing- “A Love that Forgives.” Later that day we visited the Rosa Parks Museum where we observed a reenactment of the day (December 1, 1955) when Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat to a white man. There is a marker at the bus stop outside the museum where Ms. Parks boarded the bus, as a tribute to her and the success of the Montgomery bus boycott.
Me with the 16th Street Baptist Church in the background.
Site of the bombing at the 16th Street Baptist Church
Barry, our Birmingham guide telling us about Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth
Sculpture in Kelly Ingram Park dedicated to the foot soldiers of the Birmingham Civil Rights Movement
Sculptures depicting the youth of the movement, as well as the vicious
police dogs who attacked them.
“Three Ministers” sculpture represents Rev. N.H Smith Jr., A.D. King & John T. Porter, who led a march in Birmingham in 1963 to support Rev. ML King, Jr., Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth, and Ralph Abernathy, who had been jailed.
Photo of The Four Spirits sculpture (credit to reneearoundtheway.com)
On Tuesday, July 31st we departed for Selma/Montgomery, and toured the National Voting Rights Museum. I was not happy that I did not get to take any pictures there, but the site guide spent the whole time giving us his personal oral history of the museum. In Selma, we met Joanne Bland, one of the survivors of the historic Bloody Sunday march, who became involved in the Voting Rights Movement in Selma at the age of 11! She gave us a wonderful tour of Selma, including taking us to the church where the historic march started, Brown Chapel A.M.E. We all picked up rocks from the small concrete area that remains where the marchers lined up and began their journey for justice. We kept the rock as a personal reminder of the sacrifices made on Bloody Sunday. A highlight today was walking across the Edmund Pettus Bridge, site of Bloody Sunday which occurred on March 7, 1965. To learn more about Joanne Bland, you can go to her website, Take A Journey, joannebland.com.
Andrea, Gregory and Joanne Bland at the site of the Bloody Sunday march.
Me and Joanne Bland, Bloody Sunday survivor and activist.
Shawn & Gregory in front of sculpture at Brown Chapel, A.M.E.
Gregory with Tony Barker (friend & member of ECBF church
Our wonderful tour organizer Suzzanne Lacey and Joanne Bland
Joanne Bland tells the group about Bloody Sunday. This is the area where the march began.
Edmund Pettus Bridge
Marching across the Edmund Pettus Bridge- making our own history!
On Wednesday, August 1st we visited Dexter Avenue Baptist Church, Martin Luther King, Jr’s home church from 1954 until 1960. What a beautiful experience this was!! The love that you feel when you are greeted by the docents at this church is unlike anywhere else I have visited. Every tourist is greeted with a warm and loving hug at the time they enter the church. Wanda Howard Battle, the tour director is full of God’s joy and she knows the history of the church intimately. Brenda Colvin is another tour guide, and she just happens to be a cousin of Claudette Colvin, the woman who refused to move from her seat on the bus about nine months before Rosa Parks. Claudette was never given icon status like Rosa Parks, even though she was definitely a history maker. While we were at the church, Steve, a member of our group asked Brenda Colvin if she was related to Claudette. She replied, “she is my cousin, and I am going to call her”. The call was made to Ms. Colvin, who currently lives in New York, and all of us present gave her as much love as we could through that phone call. It was a huge blessing and a miracle gift from God to talk to this legend/icon of the civil rights movement!
Tour guide Wanda on the phone with civil rights legend, Claudette Colvin.
This ends the first few days of the tour. There is much more to come including the Freedom Riders Museum and a talk with one of the original freedom riders, Bernard Lafayette, The Southern Poverty Law Center, The Legacy Museum, The Equal Justice Initiative and the National Memorial for Peace and Justice. Stay tuned and remember to NEVER forget!
“Reach back and reclaim what is lost in order to move forward and plan for the future”
On Saturday, July 28th, my husband and I will embark on a one week civil rights tour to Atlanta and Alabama. The “Just Mercy Civil Rights Tour,” is hosted by Museum without Walls (www.museumwithoutwalls.org). Our group leader and organizer is Ms. Suzzanne Lacey. We will be traveling with a racially diverse group of about thirty individuals, from three different churches, who are interested in expanding their knowledge of civil rights history, while exploring themes of oppression, white privilege, and mass incarceration. We will also discuss what it means to move towards racial reconciliation, especially in the era of our current administration. This is going to be an exciting and emotional experience for all of us. I recently began reading John Lewis’ book, “Walking with the Wind”, about his experience in the Civil Rights movement. Simply reading the opening pages, I became filled with emotion (and we have not even left Seattle yet)! In preparation for the tour, our group is reading the book, “Just Mercy” by Bryan Stevenson, which describes in detail the tragic toll of mass incarceration on African Americans and other minorities. I have to give a shout out to my son, Jerrell, who wrote a poignant spoken word piece titled, “Cell Blocks like Slave Ships (CBSS), which speaks of how African Americans have gone from being shackled in chains during slavery to being shackled in prison cell blocks at an alarming rate. A few years ago, he performed the piece live at Seattle Pacific University, sharing the stage with Bryan Stevenson. The book and the song (CBSS) encourage us to care about this new form of slavery which author Michelle Alexander calls “The New Jim Crow”. Last weekend, I had my nose deep in John Lewis’s book, while Bob Marley’s Redemption Song, played softly in the background. As Marley sang, “these songs of freedom, all I ever have, redemption songs”, the tears slowly trickled down my face. I was totally tuned in to John Lewis’ childhood experience of being in the middle of a storm at a very young age, having to literally walk with his family to each corner of their house the wind pulled up from the ground. As they “walked with the wind”, they kept their house from flying away. He explains that we too, must walk with the wind, fighting together to battle racism, discrimination and every assault on our humanity.
We are excited to share in this historical tour, to learn and experience just a small part of what our people went through during the civil rights movement. It is because of their sacrifice that I am here today. I plan to share more with you as we travel to the places where Martin Luther King Jr. preached about freedom, where four little girls in Birmingham tragically lost their lives in a church bombing, where Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat and helped start the Montgomery bus boycott, and where blacks and whites marched together over the Edmund Pettus bridge. I hope to learn how I can continue to fight the good fight for freedom. I hope you will continue your good fight as well. In continuing this fight for freedom, I think it is important to turn our hearts to what God has to say about HOW we are to act during the fight. Sometimes, we just want to “be right” about our feelings, and forget about godliness. In Romans 12:18, the scripture tells us “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with EVERYONE.” Martin Luther King, Jr. did get it right. God does not give anyone, not me or you, the right to hate another person He has created. It might be a tough pill to swallow, but if we go back to the word of God, you will find it is true.
In closing, I am reminded how music has always helped to soothe and sustain our souls through our journey to freedom, so I compiled a list to sustain us on this trip. This is a short list of songs about revolution, unity, consciousness, and peace that will give us encouragement, strength and joy for our journey. If your song of freedom is not listed, feel free to send me your song.
Songs of Freedom:
Redemption Song – Bob Marley
Keep on Pushin’ – The Impressions
What’s Goin On – Marvin Gaye
Get Up, Stand Up – Bob Marley
We’re A Winner – The Impressions
Keep your Head to the Sky – Earth, Wind & Fire
Imagine – John Lennon
Wake Up Everybody – Harold Melvin & the Bluenotes
Fight the Power – Isley Brothers
Fight the Power – Public Enemy
Wade in the Water – Mary Mary
Stand – Donnie McClurkin
Ain’t No Stoppin Us Now – McFadden & Whitehead
The Revolution Will Not Be Televised – Gil Scott Heron
Livin’ For the City – Stevie Wonder
Lean on Me – Bill Withers
CBSS Cell Blocks Like Slaveships – Rell B Free
Glory – John Legend & Common
We’ve Come This Far by Faith – Albert Goodson
Mississippi Goddam (Whew, forgive me Jesus!) – Miss Nina Simone
“Has your back ever been against the wall? Have you ever wanted to give up and as Marvin Gaye put it, “throw up both your hands.” When you feel you cannot take one more minute of pain, stress, workplace drama, heartache, current events, financial or health problems, that is usually the time when the Lord steps in and takes over. He makes a way for us through the storm tossed days and nights of this life. In Genesis 18:14 a question is put to us: “Is anything too hard for God”? The answer, “No, there is nothing too hard for the Lord”. You say, “What about poverty, sickness, broken relationships, depression and what about death”? No doubt, all of these things can bring us to a point where we (yes, me too) begin to doubt God. We ask, “Can God really take care of this?” The answer is simply, “Yes”. That IS the final answer. You don’t need a lifeline to help you with this one.
God tells us to ask anything in his name and it shall be done, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son (John 14:13). Even though God has told us to ask in his name, we still often forget and try to accomplish things on our own without first asking for God’s help. When we do this, we are basically telling God, “I don’t need you.” We must learn to invite him in to help us in each and every part of our lives. This is the key to ensuring that he will make a way for us. If we spend more time with Him and begin to fill our minds with his word, we will begin to understand more clearly that he is ALWAYS there for us.
In Isaiah 43: 18, 19, after the Lord parted the Red Sea for the Israelites to pass through safely and escape Pharaoh’s army, the scripture tells us:
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
God made a way for the Israelites where there was previously no way. When God says “do you not perceive it,” it is almost like asking us , “don’t you understand what I am doing”? It is often our own doubt and disbelief in the power of God and what he can do in our lives that causes us periods of turmoil and pain. He made us in his image, so it makes total sense that he wants what is best for us. He wants to literally pick us up out of our grief, loneliness, and despair. For example, I spent a lot of time lamenting the 2016 presidential election. I still do not want to fully accept that it happened. And don’t even get me started on how I felt upon discovering that a huge number of white evangelical Christians voted for our current president. Are you kidding me? I felt like I had been punched in the stomach. I could not comprehend it. I heard one person say, “God allowed it or it would not have happened.” Uh, you can leave my presence now. LOL. I also heard, “We went through slavery and survived, we will survive this.” Wait a minute! Just because black people made it through slavery, does not mean that it should have happened. Just because we were resilient enough to survive as a people, does not mean that when bad things happen that affect us as a people, we should just calmly accept it. When the election was over, I was angry and sad. I doubted if God could make a way out of my sadness and despair. But, eventually…he did! It took some time, but the sun did shine again and I felt rays of hope in my heart. I remembered what my husband used to say to our children when they were unhappy about something. He would say, “while you’re at it, don’t forget to count your blessings.” It was an encouragement, most often to my son, that there was always more good things happening in our lives than bad.
God made a way for me out of my season of lamenting by continuing to shower me with his joy, love, favor, and multiple blessings. I could look at my family and friends, and be reminded daily how God always makes a way. I see many signs around me that God is making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. My family and friend’s lives are flourishing and they are blessing others in their spheres of influence. They are experiencing many miracles of God. For some, its healing and for others, restoration. He is making dreams come true, he is promoting, he is blessing financially, and he is calling some to ministry. If we take time to recognize it, He is clearly working on our behalf. His plan for us is still: “To prosper and not harm you, to give you hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).
Here are some recent real life examples of God making a way:
My son, Jerrell, released a new CD, Nu Growth and in May 2018 he will launch a local tour featuring himself and other aspiring spoken word/rap artists.
WA-BLOC, Washington Building Leaders of Change, an organization Jerrell is a member of, was granted approximately 175,000.00 from the City’s Department of Education and Early Learning to run Freedom Schools for the next two years.
My daughter Kaila and her husband Ken are leading praise and worship at Rainier Avenue Church, and both are members of the International Praise Band worship team. They are spreading the gospel with their beautiful style of worship.
Kaila and Ken recently moved back into their home, after being forced to move temporarily due to mold. Their strong faith and love for each other helped get them through this stressful time.
My best friend, Anita Crawford-Willis has served her first year as a Seattle Municipal Court Judge.
My husband Gregory changed careers, leaving Casey Family Programs after thirteen years to become Managing Strategist for the Rainier Beach Action Coalition (RBAC).
My niece Danyelle, who has a B.S. in Animal Science is employed in her area of expertise at Charles River Solutions, and was recently promoted to laboratory technician providing pathology support.
My friend Freddy Robinson, underwent brain surgery and we are praying for his full recovery (Pray for him, please). His wife, Diana has been devoted to him as he has faced this health challenge for ten years. She still works and she still laughs, even through tears.
My friend Becca, is fighting cancer with strong faith and courage. This sister is a warrior…Pray for her full recovery.
My friend David Jones, an evangelist and musician was diagnosed a few years ago with Alzheimers disease. His wife Daphne is devoted and full of faith. Her strength is amazing!
My nephew and niece Mark and Anne Nsimbi, celebrated the birth of their daughter, Namuli. She is so wonderful and she has brought so much joy to the whole family!
My friend, Mekka celebrated the birth of her first child, Aidan. He is a handsome baby boy and a true miracle!
My son’s girlfriend, Darozyl, received a 16,000.00 scholarship towards earning her masters degree in education.
My pastor’s wife, Andrea, celebrated nine years of being healed from an aneurism and stroke.
My brother in law J.D., was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, but this has caused our family to become more intense in our prayer life, and to count on the Lord to provide for J.D. in all that concerns him.
I celebrated five years of being healed after having a stroke in 2013.
I could go on and on, but I think you understand. There are so many ways that God provides for us and makes a way for us daily. We have to take time to recognize that He is always working for our good. Even if it seems like “our back is against the wall, and it looks as if it’s over”, He is right there, for you and me!
On Easter Sunday 2018, our choir sang a song titled, “You Made a Way”, by gospel artist Travis Greene. The chorus of the song states: “You move mountains, you cause walls to fall. With your power, perform miracles. There is nothing that’s impossible, and we’re standing here only because you made a way.” What has God done for you? What mountain has he moved that maybe you forgot to thank him for? What mountain or wall is in your life right now that you need God’s help with? Is it just believing in his power to help you through a situation? Is it that broken relationship with your family member that you still want him to heal? Maybe it is a health problem, or an addiction. Whatever your mountain or wall is, pray, trust God and ask Him to make a way to move your mountain and bring down your wall! He is still the God of miracles and he always makes a way for his children. Please leave a comment or reflection on God’s ability to make a way. God bless you.
Enjoy the video of Travis Greene’s “You Made a Way”.
An author once said, “If you are a writer, write.” I feel that statement is directed specifically at me, I know I am a writer, but you know with work, family, church and getting a pedicure…you get my drift. The excuses could go on for days! Now that I am on vacation for two weeks, (Yay!) I get to write, and I am going to get one more addition to my blog completed.
I started this entry about “who is navigating your life” back in May when I traveled to Indianapolis with my daughter and son to attend the wedding of a close family friend. During our visit we were blessed to discover our friend, Richard Cassell had rented a car. Richard was gracious enough to transport us around for the weekend, sparing us from taxis and endless Uber rides. As our personal driver, Richard made only one request, that someone else navigate our path to each destination. We considered that to be quite fair, and my son, Jerrell agreed to be “the navigator”.
By definition, a navigator is one who charts or decides the course or route of some form of transportation. A good navigator will get you to your destination safely, and hopefully on time. As Richard drove through the city of Indianapolis, unknown territory to us all, Jerrell gave him turn by turn directions. Interestingly enough, Richard followed each and every instruction. That may not seem like a big deal to you, but we had not spent time with Richard in well over ten years. Still, he believed that each turn that Jerrell gave him would get us closer to our destination. How could he be so sure that Jerrell was giving him the correct directions? Simple, he TRUSTED him! Why would he trust Jerrell? He knew about Jerrell’s character and he knew his family. He knew that information coming from Jerrell was trustworthy and would lead him in the right direction. Jerrell is known for being intelligent, wise and truthful, so his directions would not lead us astray (although we did go down one street that reminded Richard of an episode of 48 Hours).
This wonderful journey around Indianapolis was filled with laughter, stories and a couple of “Uh my bad, I should have told you sooner that your turn was coming.” We did not get lost in Indianapolis because we had a good driver and more importantly, a trustworthy navigator. It made me think about who is navigating my life, and who I listen to for direction. I listen to my husband and close family, I listen to my pastor and to my dear friends. Most importantly, I listen to God! His word and His holy spirit directs me daily, and so far He has not put me on a wrong or dangerous path. I make sure that I check in with “my navigator” to make sure I don’t veer onto a path that is not safe, or a path He does not intend me to go on. In these days and times we are living in, it is easy to get fiercely independent, and never go to God at all for proper navigation. We may even start to like the road we are on, when actually it may NOT be leading toward the destiny God has for us.
Who do you trust to navigate your life? Do you trust God to get you to your destination? Do you trust him to help you stay on course to achieve your goals rather than making wrong turns that land you in areas of desolation? God, by his nature is a trustworthy navigator. His word tells us in Proverbs 3:5,6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he shall direct (navigate) your path”. If we trust the Lord and ask Him how to navigate each situation in our lives, He will get us to our destination. We can be assured our outcome will be positive. We are further instructed not to lean (count on, depend on) our own understanding. This is a warning against always doing what we want to do. We are supposed to ask for His help. He is our ultimate navigator. When we trust God as our navigator we usually see the fruits of this decision. Our lives are generally happy and positive because we walk in the freedom of knowing we belong to God, and He is with us on this path. People are naturally drawn to us as the light of God’s love shines in everything we do. Conversely, when we are without God’s navigation the opposite is true. By choosing to listen to negative people and thoughts, our outlook on life becomes more negative and our lives become sad and depressing, not at all a reflection of who God really is. When we are on a path that God navigates, we can truly “represent” the love of God. John 13:35, reads in part, “by this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Whenever my uncle Bob would get lost going somewhere, he would say “this is where it gets a little fuzzy”. If you were lucky enough to be with him, you would ride around for a while, wondering how long you would be lost. The good news is, we don’t have to be lost like uncle Bob. When our way seems to get “a little fuzzy’, we simply need to get back on track with the great navigator of our lives, God. He is there for us at any time for trustworthy direction and guidance. Psalm 119:105 sums it up best, “let his word be a lamp to your feet and a guide to your path.” Amen!
Thoughts to ponder on “Who is Navigating your Life”:
1. Spend some time thinking about when you got off track with your life. Did you ask for God’s help? How did things turn out for you?
2. What are some things you trust God to help you navigate? What things do you have a hard time letting him navigate? Pray and ask Him to help you release those things to Him.
3. Start today by trusting more of your life to the great navigator and see the difference it can make.
There is a beautiful song by Kirk Franklin called “My Life is in Your Hands”. The song speaks of our lives being in God’s hands, and while I know this is true, sometimes our lives are in our doctor’s hands. I owe my health and happiness to God, my commitment to exercise, and to a good doctor, Constance Wang. I really trust her. When I have an appointment with her, I am confident she will take the time to answer all my questions and concerns, and there will be some laughter in between. She is not going to rush me out of the room to get to her next patient. She reminds me of my favorite television doctor growing up, Marcus Welby, M.D.! Dr. Welby was kind and caring, and he always got the diagnosis right! I know the show was far from reality, but I loved Dr. Welby. Like Dr. Welby, Dr. Wang cares about each and every one of her patients. Everyone I know who is a patient of Dr. Wang, feels like they are her favorite. Ha, that’s a laugh, how can they be? Everyone knows I am her favorite! My husband, Gregory is second, my best friend Anita is third, and her husband Pervis, brings up the rear as fourth favorite. LOL! Anita and Pervis have their appointments with Dr. Wang together. How fun is that? It is a wonder they ever get to the health stuff when there is so much fun to be had. Don’t get me wrong, Dr. Wang does not waste time. She is all business when it comes to health, but she knows how to examine you, find out who got on your nerves today at work, and tell you “your weight is creeping up again” all simultaneously. Every patient feels Dr. Wang’s love and concern for their well-being. Dr. Wang is a GOOD doctor!
In March of 2013 I had a stroke. Unfortunately, Dr. Wang was out of town at the time and I saw another doctor, who misdiagnosed me and sent me home the first day. Excuse me, I digress, this article is about GOOD doctors! When Dr. Wang returned and found out I was in the hospital, she immediately came to see me. She stayed and talked my family, soothing them during a very scary time in my life. She allowed my children to ask questions and she gave them honest answers. I am so grateful for her knowledge, care and concern for me. To this day, I refuse to see another doctor for my appointments. If Dr.Wang is out of the office, I will wait until she returns. I don’t care if the late, great Dr. Marcus Welby makes a special appearance, I only want to see Dr. Wang. I don’t care if she is out of the office for two weeks or two months, I will wait, thank you very much! I have told Dr. Wang she can never retire, because Anita and I will find her, and make her take care of us. Dr. Wang thinks we are crazy! We are, crazy about her! We love you, Dr. Wang!
Click here for a photo and more information on where to find Dr. Wang (just don’t take my appointment slot):
I believe everyone deserves to have a doctor they can trust with their life. Everyone needs a “Dr. Wang” in their family. When I was little, it was Dr. Blanche Lavizzo. If there are any folks out there who remember Dr. Blanche Lavizzo, let me know by sending me a comment. When I got married, Dr. Anita Johnson-Connell was my “Good” doctor. Even today, she remains a trusted friend to my family. Dr. Connell had this beautiful wall of photos of all the babies she delivered. It was such a comforting sight to see whenever I went for an office visit. Now mind you, Dr. Connell is an ob-gyn, so it was not all fun going to see her. But she was the best in her profession, and she took time to learn about her patients and their families during exams. More importantly, you knew she would get your full health history. You could rest assured that Dr. Connell would conduct all the necessary exams to ensure you were receiving the best quality care.
Read more about Dr. Connell by clicking on the link below:
Another “Good doctor” is Dr. Alvin Thompson, who provided care for me during my twenties and early thirties. He taught me that eating smaller portions is healthier. He once said to me, “your mother was overweight, my mother was overweight”. At first I was upset, I wasn’t cool letting nobody talk about my mama! But he talked about his own mama too, so I guess it was okay. LOL! He went on to say “you don’t need a bowl of ice cream, you can have a tablespoon” and “you don’t need a piece of pie, you just need a sliver”. A sliver?! He never tasted my sweet potato pie! Oh Dr. Thompson, if it were THAT easy!
My children were cared for by awesome doctors as well, Dr. Brent Oldham and later Dr. Kathleen Graunke. We loved Dr. Oldham, who was never without his trusty clogs. His exam/appointment times with Kaila and Jerrell, were spent updating information in their health charts, as well as finding out about how the family was doing. I remember once after Jerrell was born, he hesitated to prescribe Levsin drops for his colic. He said, “We try not to prescribe this often. We really only prescribe it when the colic is really disrupting the family”. I tried not to roll my eyes, and said, “I’m not getting any sleep, my husband is not getting any sleep. I’d say we are being disrupted.” He gave us the prescription, and although we only used it a few times before Jerrell’s colic ended, I was sure happy to have those magical drops.
It would not be fair if I didn’t mention my favorite dentist, Dr. Michael B. Washington. He is the GOAT (greatest of all time), at least when it comes to dental health care. He provided quality care to ALL of his patients, but I thought that he treated my family extra special, since he knew and was fond of my aunt, Hellyne Summerrise. My bestie, Anita, is a lifelong member of his fan club. Her mother, Nannie, used to make cakes and pies for Dr. Washington. Anita was “hot as fish grease” when he retired. Oh well, we had some real good years with him. We still trade Dr. Washington stories to this day! Dr. Washington was the “MSN.com” of the community before the internet days. If you did not have the local FACTS newspaper handy, you could get the lowdown from Dr. Washington. Dr. Washington had a great sense of humor, something every good doctor should have. He was soooo funny, and he would make you laugh at the craziest times (like when your mouth was held open by a rubber dam). He had a comment for EVERYTHING. When he saw my son Jerrell for the first time, he said he should have been named “‘Shawn Gregory Davis”, after me and my husband. When you visited Dr. Washington, you were treated like a good friend, not just a patient. Nice! Dr. Washington has passed the reins to his daughter, Dr. Kelley Washington-Hooe, who is doing a great job. His wife, Mrs. Washington, could also be found in the office, handling administrative matters and connecting with patients as well. Last but certainly not least, we cannot forget Tandy, receptionist extraordinaire. If it were not for her loving relationships with hundreds of families, we would not have the after hours connection to get emergency appointments for our loved ones. Thank you Tandy!
Recently I had a conversation with a friend whose wife had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. We were discussing the importance of having a good doctor, and he told me his doctor had just retired. My friend exclaimed, “he didn’t check with me first!” My friend was very pleased with this doctor and the medical care he received, and he was not happy about having to find a new one. It is important to note that this was a very unique perspective, as it came from an African-American male. He was serious about his health and medical care. This was refreshing to hear first hand. More African-American males need to realize the importance of good health/medical care. They are the ones who seem to shun going to the doctor the most. They must not let fear, lack of health care insurance or apathy keep them from taking their health more seriously. All of us can do better at encouraging those in our sphere of influence to get check ups regularly and to seek medical care when something is not right in their body. We have to regularly screen for cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, and stroke.
In praise of good doctors, I must mention my obsession with Disney’s Doc McStuffins, a cute African American doctor to stuffed animals and toys. I fell in love with her after my dear friend, Roshawna, bought me a talking Doc McStuffins doll when I had a stroke. When you squeeze her hand she tells you excitedly, “Time for your check-up.” My adult son gets a kick out of imitating her (smile). A good doctor will tell you when its “Time for your check-up”. They will send you reminders and sometimes even annoy you with their persistence. That is just one thing a good doctor does. What else should you look for in a good doctor? I am going to give you my short list, but I would love for you to send me your comments on what you think makes a good doctor.
Characteristics/qualities of a good doctor:
They are kind, caring and honest.
They take their time during appointments, they don’t rush you out of the office.
They are knowledgeable about more than just medicine.
They take time to learn about you and your immediate family.
They have studied your health history, and know the facts about you.
They will test you whenever it is necessary, and order follow-up tests as required.
They know when immediate tests are necessary.
They give you options.
They give you good referrals for services they do not provide.
They or their nurse will return your call the same day if you have an emergency.
They will fit you into their schedule, if it is necessary.
You can trust them with your life.
They will see others in your immediate family, when possible.
They visit you in the hospital (Thank you Dr. Wang).
They are culturally competent.
They do not patronize you.
They do not act as if they know your body better than you (regardless of their degrees).
They have a sense of humor.
A good doctor is hard to find, but it is worth the search to find one that you can trust your life with. If you have a good doctor, you are truly blessed! If you are still searching, I encourage you to use this list as a starting point. Take good care of yourself, you are special!
Wow! New York is all its cracked up to be! At least from the perspective of a woman born and raised in Seattle, WA. When Alicia Keys sang “concrete jungle that dreams are made of, there’s nothing you can’t do”, she wasn’t lying! Yeah! Let’s hear it for New York! I want to begin this post by thanking my wonderful son, Jerrell, who paid for my ticket to New York, my “play daughter” Alison Gazarek (and Mo, her cat), for welcoming me and opening her home to me during my stay, and my New York road dog, Sandra Killett who showed me as much of New York as she possibly could in two days!!
Me and my friend Sandra in Times Square! I was like a kid in a candy store!
So my trip (March 10th-15th) started with a few songs to get me in the mood, a little Sinatra “Start spreading the news, I’m leaving today. I’ll make a brand new start of it New York, New York”. Then Empire State of Mind, it’s a real jam, but I can’t keep up with Jay-Z. The only thing I seem to remember is “3 card Marley” and “but I ain’t a crip tho”. Oh well, I was still rocking to the beat.
Then I played a live version of Billy Joel’s New York State of Mind, and I gotta tell you, that song is THE ONE. Now don’t tell me I am going to lose my Sista card! I am not throwing any shade to Jay-Z and Alicia Keys! I am a mature woman, and I like the slow, classy sound of Billy Joel as he sings about New York. He is giving you the Grayline tour, while Jay-Z is giving the Hop On Hop Off tour.
So now after grooving to the sounds of native New Yorkers, I am ready to go to “the city that never sleeps.” The TSA line at SeaTac was outrageously long and it took me about fifty minutes to get through security. I am sure some folks missed their flights and there were many unhappy travelers. It was truly a nightmare, but thankfully I got through security and to the gate just as boarding began. My flight to New York started off bumpy. Not cool! My seat mate assured me it was fine, and that it had been very windy in the area prior to our takeoff. She told me, “if you need to grab onto me, feel free”. How sweet! Nancy and Maureen were taking a girls trip to Paris, so New York was just a five hour layover for them. They were great seatmates. As the plane made its descent into New York all you could see for miles on end was a sea of brown buildings. I think I had visions of seeing a gorgeous view of the Statue of liberty as we landed, but that was not my reality this time.
JFK airport was huge and I am certain I walked at least two miles before I finally made it to the baggage claim. The airport just went on and on. Luckily, my luggage was right on the gurney as soon as I arrived at my claim check. The timing was great. I now had to face my biggest fear, hailing a taxi. I had read one article that said “everyone is waiting for a taxi at JFK airport!” I calmly headed to the taxi waiting area just across the street. A pleasant young man greeted me and asked where I was going. He told me the next taxi coming along would be mine. Bam! Total waiting time…4.5 seconds. I was feeling real good now! On the way to my hotel I spoke briefly to my taxi cab driver, who was from Haiti. He was a quiet, friendly man. We reached my hotel in Manhattan in about 50 minutes. Total cost 70.00. I was in New York!!
I am clearly pleased with my room at the Iroquois Hotel in Manhattan. Just a few blocks from all the excitement of Times Square. This is the perfect boutique hotel (small and classy) for a first trip to New York. It was neat & cozy, the bathroom was lovely, and I had a fire escape outside my window, so I felt like I was in an episode of Law & Order. I was greeted in Times Square by “the Pope” at Madame Tussaud’s wax museum, so of course I had the blessing of having a fabulous time in New York City (smile).
Me and Sandra with Pope Francis, Madame Tussaud’s NYC
Rockefeller Center
This place is rocking at all hours of the day and night. There is just no shortage of things to do and see (and eat). No wonder it’s called “The city that never sleeps”. The next several photos include Times Square at night, Rockefeller Center, New York subway (and subway benches), Central Park, Brooklyn Bridge (with a glimpse of Lady Liberty), and the 911 Memorial site and reflecting pool. You might get lucky and catch a jazz band playing in the subway or get a chance to hear a talented or starving spoken word artist perform right next to you while riding the subway. Expect the unexpected, and don’t be scared! During one subway ride a young man near me exclaimed, “Excuse me ladies and gentlemen, no need to be afraid (uh okay), I am going to perform a piece for you…” I smiled as the young man eloquently delivered a nicely arranged spoken word piece. Of course, everyone expects a monetary show of your appreciation for their talent. Even in Times Square, there are no shortage of characters dressed up willing to take pictures with you for any donation. Take your chances when handing out cash, but be careful. Like my husband always says, “keep your head on a swivel”!
Times Square at night!
Rockefeller Center
Top of the Rock (see the Empire State Building in the background)
Getting ready to take the New York subway!
Central Park on a beautiful day.
Shawnie in Central Park
Heading to Brooklyn (look at that sky!)
Crossing the Brooklyn Bridge
A glimpse of the Statue of Liberty! That is as close as I got!
In front of The Red Rooster restaurant in Harlem (Shout out to Marcus Samuelson, owner & my favorite chef on “Chopped”, the reality t.v. show)
Me and Alison after seeing The Color Purple on Broadway! It was a fabulous night! If you don’t know who Cynthia Erivo is, google this beautiful, powerful sister with a voice. She was AMAZING in the lead role as Celie. Jennifer Hudson was wonderful as Shug. Peep this you-tube:
Standing in front of the ad for “Hamilton” on Broadway
One of the reflecting pools at the 911 Memorial Site
One World Trade Center
This is Mo, Alison’s cute, but naughty cat. He tried to use my new luggage for a scratching post!
There is so much to do and see in New York, but as an African American I really felt love for Harlem. Our history is alive in Harlem and it evoked a great sense of pride being there. I was able to visit the famous Apollo Theater, The Schomberg Center for Research in Black Culture, Harlem Hospital (where Malcolm X was taken the night he was assassinated), New York Amsterdam News (one of New York’s largest and most influential Black-owned and operated business institutions), the statue of Adam Clayton Powell (he represented Harlem in Congress from 1945 -1970), and the Red Rooster restaurant, owned by “Chopped” reality television chef Marcus Samuelson. We were lucky enough to get a table for three for dinner on a Friday night, and this is THE restaurant folks are talking about in Harlem! Remember, “the Pope” had blessed me to have a good time.
The Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Statue in Harlem
Rubbing a replica of the good luck stump at The Apollo Theater.
Amsterdam News
Schomberg Center
Schomberg Center honoring American Negro Theatre
Another highlight was visiting the African Burial Ground National Monument in Manhattan. This was a place that brought tears to my eyes. You cannot experience this place without feeling deep emotion for what our ancestors went through. I can still feel the emotion as I write about this experience.
African Burial Ground National Monument
“In 1991 during construction of a General Services Administration office building in Lower Manhattan, graves were discovered 24 feet below ground, and when those remains led to the discovery of hundreds of other bodies in the same area, and when it was determined that these were black New Yorkers interred in what a 1755 map calls the “Negros Burial Ground,” the earth seemed to shake from more than the machinery. The evidence created a conceptual quake, transforming how New York history is understood and how black New Yorkers connect to their past. This discovery offered the first large scale traces of black American experience in this region. In all 419 bodies were discovered – giving a clue to how many others still lie under the foundations of Lower Manhattan. (Estimates have ranged from 10,000 to 20,000).” Edward Rothstein, New York Times, February 25, 2010
African Burial Ground National Monument
You might be wondering ” but what about the food?” There is no shortage of food and great places to eat. That was not my priority, however! There is fabulous pizza everywhere, hot dogs on every corner, Sylvia’s in Harlem, Peaches in Brooklyn (wonderful food and atmosphere) and Dallas BBQ in Times Square. One of the best things I ate in New York, hands down, was fresh roasted toffee nuts, which were about two dollars. Delicious!! I had pizza twice, and here is a pic of my selections:
With Alison my last night in New York, Columbus Circle Plaza
There you have it! A sweet trip to New York City that I will never forget! On my last day, I was brave enough to catch the subway (alone) to Times Square. You should have seen me counting EVERY stop and marking it off my notes. On my last night, I met Gayle King, Oprah’s BFF at The Shops at Columbus Circle. When I stopped her and said, “Aren’t you Oprah’s best friend,” she smiled and said, “You have a really good eye.” Alison immediately started texting her friends, while I excitedly explained how my husband Gregory always says I can “will people into my presence”. As I close this post, my mind wanders back to Billy Joel’s song New York State of Mind. What is a “New York State of Mind?’ Is it the charge of electricity you get walking through Times Square? Yes! Is it the feeling that you really can find something to do at any time of the day or night? Yes! Is it the fashion, the shopping, the neon lights, the department stores on steroids? Yes! Is it the emotional rollercoaster of seeing the revitalized One World Trade Center and the 911 Memorial? Yes. Is it the pride you feel in Harlem at the Apollo or the spell you fall under when you see a Broadway play? Yes. A New York State of Mind is all that and so much more, and I hope to experience it again real soon.
“Three Ministers” sculpture represents Rev. N.H Smith Jr., A.D. King & John T. Porter, who led a march in Birmingham in 1963 to support Rev. ML King, Jr., Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth, and Ralph Abernathy, who had been jailed.
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